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Instead of doing comprehensive backgrounds on 2016 Richmond Mayoral candidates, RVAMag and GayRVA will be running Q&A’s with candidates (that respond to our request for interviews) that deal with each publication’s specific issues. This week’s interview is with Levar Stoney who is the former Secretary of the Commonwealth under Gov. McAuliffe from 2014-16 during which time Virginia saw some great advancements for the LGBTQ community. We met up with him at our office here in the Fan and he provided some insight into his understanding of the local community.

Richmond mayoral candidate Levar Stoney was the first to respond to a CBS 6 interview request where the candidate not only does a studio interview but also takes questions from voters via Facebook live.

"Bill Pantele, a former president of Richmond City Council and runner-up in the 2008 mayoral election, says he is supporting Stoney because the candidate’s career 'exudes leadership,' which Pantele believes is necessary to set City Hall straight. [...] 'I really think what Richmond needs now is someone who has that ability to bring the silos together and inspire the people inside of them to get to a better place,' Pantele says. 'I think that Levar’s demonstrated talents, reputation and infectious enthusiasm made him a clear choice for me.' [....] That Stoney has establishment support and resources, but doesn’t have to answer for local government’s current woes, like some of his opponents, is advantageous, says Rich Meagher, a political science professor at Randolph-Macon College. Stoney also has as much, if not more, cross-racial appeal than his opponents, Meagher adds, making him a serious contender in all nine voter districts...'He can appeal to white and black voters. He can appeal to West End and East End voters,' Meagher says. [...] [Stoney] has assembled a formidable campaign, complete with contracted research and marketing firms, former presidential campaign staffers and dozens of volunteers. The operation will make use of phone banking, door-to-door campaigning and television buys that will tally in the hundreds of thousands by the time Nov. 8 rolls around"

"'Seven of the eight mayoral candidates submitted questionnaires and sat for interviews, and while all were even-tempered and knowledgeable, Mr. Stoney stood head and shoulders above the others when it came to understanding the challenges and experiences facing our members on a daily basis,' said Charlotte Hayer, the organization's president. 'I truly believe Levar Stoney is the education candidate and will be the education mayor,' she said."

"'Levar has the experience, leadership and character for the job,' said McAuliffe. 'He is one of the most dedicated and honorable people I have known in my political career. He will take Richmond to the next level as a hands-on and transparent leader.'"

"The Richmond City Democratic Committee on Thursday night endorsed former Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney for Richmond mayor. About 110 of the organization’s 150-plus members cast votes. Stoney was the overwhelming favorite, earning a ‘supermajority,’ said James ‘J.J.’ Minor, the committee’s chairman...The RCDC endorsement is another feather in Stoney’s cap. In August, he also received backing from the Homebuilders Association of Richmond and the arm of an international labor union.”

“Members of the Richmond City Democratic Committee voted overwhelmingly Thursday to endorse former Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney for mayor. Party leaders said Stoney won 66 percent of the vote from the 111 registered members who cast paper ballots during a roughly 90-minute meeting.”

"Mayoral candidate Levar Stoney 'has the fresh vision and experience needed to lead Richmond into a new chapter in our city’s history,' Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker said in an endorsement on Thursday."